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2009-03-20 Afghanistan

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Posted by Chuck Simmins 2009-03-20 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 For this particular Kiowa Warrior team it was 6 hours of flight time. During the battle CW3 Cotriss and CW2 Hodge engaged with 900 rounds of .50 cal machine gun ammo and approximately 20-30 rockets. CW2 Priester and CW2 Peterson engaged with more than 55 rockets. Probably 90% of the ordinance expended was with in danger close of local nationals or friendly soldiers. CW3 Cotriss CASEVAC 2 wounded and CW2 Priester CASEVAC 3 wounded soldiers.

Damn! These boys are good.

Posted by Mike 2009-03-20 08:16|| 2009-03-20 08:16|| Front Page Top

#2 CW2 Brian Peterson leaps from his aircraft into the midst of a battle and while under intense fire organizes the rescue of five allied troops and all he is awarded is an Army Commendation Medal with V for valor. In another unit, or another country, this would be deserving of a Bronze Star with V or Silver Star.

Posted by Anon4021 2009-03-20 10:28|| 2009-03-20 10:28|| Front Page Top

#3 Think of the logistics, tactics, training, technology, personal commitment, weapons development, command process, communication controls and all the other attributes of our warrior classes performance that had to be assembled and integrated just to fight off a bunch of stone-age creatures in a freaking corn-field in Afghanistan. And we are up in arms over AIG and the bailouts.

Posted by Jack is Back!">Jack is Back! 2009-03-20 10:55|| 2009-03-20 10:55|| Front Page Top

#4 When I was approached with this story, I could not believe that there was no pre-existing coverage. It was a small fight in a big war, but clearly illustrates the capabilities of our warfighters.

FYI, the Kiowa is underpowered and it takes some work to keep it in the air at that altitude with a full load.

Posted by Chuck Simmins">Chuck Simmins 2009-03-20 11:16|| http://northshorejournal.org]">[http://northshorejournal.org] 2009-03-20 11:16|| Front Page Top

#5 When I was approached with this story

See, New York Times? This is what a real journalist does, even if his degrees are accounting and EMT. Rantburg's own Chuck Simmons is respected enough that those who do want him to tell their story to the world! Someone needs to tip off Instapundit, so at least half of America learns what our guys are doing over there.

Posted by trailing wife 2009-03-20 12:45|| 2009-03-20 12:45|| Front Page Top

#6 The Kiowa was initially proposed as a surveillance and intelligence-gathering aircraft. In its original configuration, it didn't have armor or weapons - those were added later. It's working into a role as a primary warcraft. While the aircraft itself has been significantly upgraded to do its new mission, the engines are still under-rated. As far as I know, there's no program in the works to upgrade existing Kiowas, but there's a new model in the works that is significantly more capable of an interdiction role.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2009-03-20 13:17|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2009-03-20 13:17|| Front Page Top

#7 The life extension program was recently funded and I believe its called life support 2022. The aiecraft as OP said was initially designed for surveillance and targeting. It had small air to air missile added for defence, but it did not work well. Rockets and a gun replaced the missiles. the aircraft is troubling to fly due to underpower issues.

ARH was supposed to replace this aircraft. The contract was awarded to Bell and late last year when the program breached the Nunn/McCurdy line for cost over runs it was reviewed and cancelled. The KW will now have to continue to support the fight into the the next five to seven years, at best.

Right now the Army is struggling with how best to proceed. The arguement is currently between a single engine aircraft or a twin engine bird. This is all focused on the OGE hover at 6,000 feet 95 degrees and two hours thirty minutes fuel requirement. Currently there is not a light aircraft out there that can meet this requirement.

Posted by 49 Pan 2009-03-20 13:54|| 2009-03-20 13:54|| Front Page Top

#8 Chuck, this if first-rate. Thank you. I second tw's comment #5, except to argue that you and the *spit* NYT shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence.

Posted by Matt 2009-03-20 14:56|| 2009-03-20 14:56|| Front Page Top

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